The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have moved to strengthen their working relationship, with EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede urging lawyers to close ranks with the anti-graft agency to improve criminal justice administration in Nigeria.
Olukoyede stressed that the EFCC and the legal profession were inseparable partners in the justice delivery system, insisting that respect for the rule of law and citizens’ fundamental rights remained central to the commission’s operations.
He spoke on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Kano, through the Kano Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, when the newly elected leadership of the NBA Kano State branch, led by its chairman, Sani Ammani, visited the commission’s Kano Zonal Directorate.
Describing the relationship between the anti-graft agency and the legal profession as “symbiotic twins that cannot be separated,” Olukoyede said effective collaboration between investigators and lawyers was critical to ensuring that criminal cases were handled within the confines of the law.
“We work hand in hand, and this is a long-standing relationship. From our operations to our legal department, and to meeting you in court, we are partners in the justice delivery system,” he said.
The EFCC chairman said the visit reinforced the commission’s commitment to collaboration with professional bodies and other institutions, adding that its doors remained open to constructive engagement with the Bar.
But beyond strengthening ties, Olukoyede also called attention to professional conduct, disclosing that the commission had established internal committees to check ethical misconduct and address complaints arising from interactions between its operatives and lawyers.
He urged the NBA leadership to take advantage of the established channels to resolve disagreements, rather than allowing disputes to escalate and undermine cooperation between the two institutions.
The EFCC boss further challenged lawyers to play a more active role in supporting the administration of criminal justice, urging them to use their professional standing to help bridge gaps in the system.
“In all, as you do your work, please be on the advocacy stand. Fill the gap for us where you can. We must see ourselves as partners in progress and as vanguards in the administration of criminal justice,” he said.
In his response, NBA Kano State chairman Sani Ammani commended the EFCC for what he described as its professional conduct, saying the commission had maintained an “excellent record” compared with other law enforcement institutions.
Ammani particularly acknowledged the work of the EFCC’s legal department and agreed that stronger cooperation between lawyers and investigators was necessary to make the justice system more effective.
“We have identified that the EFCC is one of the bodies that acts professionally, at least when you compare them with other law enforcement institutions. The EFCC so far has an excellent record,” he said.
He added: “I want to use this opportunity today to appreciate what they have been doing, particularly the legal department. We need to work in synergy to ensure that the justice system works.”
The renewed engagement signals a push by both institutions to strengthen professional cooperation, address disputes through established channels and improve the administration of criminal justice, with the rule of law remaining a central principle of their partnership.
